Thread: Success!

I just tried honing a proper razor for the first time and had much more success that I anticipated

I recieved my W&B razor I got off of ebay yesterday which was in quite good condition. No rusting, no pitting, no chips or anything else. The only thing wrong with it was that it was quite dull and the scales needed some cleaning. I wasn't sure whether or not to try honing it, seeing as I've never honed a good razor before. I've had practice on one of those crap paki razors in the past, but I didn't want to go and possibly ruin what seemed to be a perfectly good W&B. But, my eagerness got to me and soon enough I whipped out my 3 day new norton 4k/8k and japanese 1k pocket stone and gave em a good soak.

I started with the japanese 1k with maybe 2 or 3 passes per side. The blade was quite dull and I figured I'd use the 1k to establish a bevel. After seeing what the bevel on the tonsorial gem I recieved in the giveaway was like, I figured I'd have some work ahead of me. But, I was carefull enough to inspect the bevel after each pass on the 1k and realized that the bevel for this razor was actually quite small and that 3 or so passes on the 1k was all it took.
I proceeded with the thumbnail test without being too sure what to feel for. I tested the razor before it touched any of my hones, and it just drew across the nail with no grip and a few tiny bumps. After the 1k, it drew smoothly with what seemed to be some good grip and the tiny bumps where gone.

I moved onto the norton 4k and started honing, I made about 4 passes for each side of the blade and checked my progess. The thumbnail test felt like it had a bit more grip, but that was the only difference I could discern as an amateur. I inspected the edge under the microscope, trying to remember what it looked like after the 1k. The abrasive marks on the edge were much finer and uniform along the entire length, so I figured it's time to move onto the 8k.

I began on the 8k and end up making about 8 very light passes a side before the entire edge of the bevel is mirror like. I inspect it under the microscope; the bevel certainly has much finer striations and a smoother edge, but no where near what the Lynn razor is like.
I perform the HHT and standing hair test, and it's really not gripping and cutting hairs with any authority near what the Lynn honed razor does. So I debate whether or not to go back to the hone from here. I've always heard that one should use the hone and little as absolutely possible, and felt like I might be over doing it. But, I figure I'm going to learn one way or another and go back to the hone.
I start with 2 passes a side on the 4k before I move to the 8k. I also change up my technique a little bit so that all my strokes on the hone have the edge coming in to me so I can see whether or not the entire length of the edge is making contact with the hone. Feels a little awkward at first, but I find it gave me more helpful information.

After 8 or so passes a side I stop and inspect the edge under the microscope. This time, the striations do seem a tad finer, and the edge much smoother/finer as well. I go back and perform the HHT and standing hair test and the razor is now gripping and cutting hairs with much more authority.

I clean up and put the razor away, brimming with excitment (damnit I want to shave now!) and wait till the morning when I go through the usual. I get up and get ready for the shower and shave. Times comes and I strop up the razor (my gear from Tony is in the mail, so a much lesser strop will have to suffice for now). I make the first pass down my cheek then sensations and memories of what a nice keen edge feel like come rushing back. What ensues is easily the best shave since I used the Lynn honed razor from the giveaway.

Anyways, I just gotta thank you guys for all the info you've provided that I've picked up along the way. I have experience putting a good edge on a knife, but, honing being a whole other beast, it certainly made honing much easier when I knew what to look for. Another thanks for the giveaway, having that nice keen Lynn honed razor as a benchmark certainly made things more much objective than subjective.
Also, any comments are welcome. I feel I've had some great success on my first try, but it could be some sort of luck
Next challenge is to see how long I can go with stropping before I need to go back to any hones.

This is great to hear and thank-you for such detail. I hope some of the other guys who are trying to hone for the first time can take something away from this which will help them get there. Enjoy those shaves my man. They are truly yours and you have earned them.

X

This is encouraging stuff.
I'm new to straight razor use, and hearing from someone who done it first time is great.
Thanks for posting your success!

We've all done it for the first time, one time or another. X helped me a lot with my first blade ever, but my second one is all my own work. Currently working on #3 and #4

Good write up. Thanks. I just got my starter set of hones from Tilly in the mail today. I ended up getting the barber hones, because this summer I don't really have anywhere I can make a mess with all the water. Supposedly the barber hones use less water/make less mess. Also, I can't complain about the price. Off to reread the honing help files.

Great reporting, very helpful details both on process and on test results. Thanks, ToxIk.

That was good to hear. Well written too. Congratulations on your first hone job.

Thanx for the comments guys! Good to know that my first experience could be helpful to some others

One thing I failed to mention (and is probably just common sense) was that working with a nice bright light helps immensely. Honing is certainly something a good 'feel' must be aquired for, but, being able to inspect my work with that much more detail certainly made a difference. The bright light helps so that every little facet, edge, corner, bump and texture of the steel may be vividly highlighted through the reflections.